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May 27, 2017 |

Mogadishu, Somalia – The 101st Airborne Division, based out of Fort Campbell, KY, has trained the first logistics class of the Somali National Army (SNA) in support of the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM), during a 6-week training course in Mogadishu, Somalia.

The course concluded May 24th, 2017, with a graduation ceremony attended by the Prime Minister of Somalia, Hassan Ali Khayre, Somalia’s Chief of Defense, Gen. Ahmed Mohamed Jimcale, and the U.S. Ambassador to Somalia, Stephen Schwartz.

The importance of logistics and the impact of its effectiveness during a military campaign are highlighted in the 5th century BC book written by ancient Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu, “The Art of War.” Sun Tzu wrote, “The line between disorder and order lies in logistics.”

Five U.S. Army 101st Airborne Soldiers deployed with U.S. Army Africa to train Somali National Army soldiers stand at a graduation formation on May 23, 2017, in Mogadishu, Somalia. The six-week logistics course focused on various aspects of moving personnel, equipment and supplies. (U.S. Air National Guard, Tech. Sgt. Joe Harwood)

Fort Campbell, KY – The importance of recognizing the transition from “just one of the guys or gals” to a noncommissioned officer should be shared among the superiors, peers and soldiers of the newly promoted. (Army Field Manual 7-22.7, Appendix F)

Jalalabad, Afghanistan – When U.S. Army Spc. April Harvey walked into the recruiting office near her hometown of Gallup, NM, after graduating high school, she knew she wanted to take control of her life, and she wanted to do it her way.

As with any soldier that enlists into the Army, Harvey was offered several different jobs, or military occupational specialties. While at the recruiting station, Harvey was offered a series of jobs: 68W (Medic), 42A (Human Resources Specialist), 92Y (Logistics Specialist) and other jobs that just weren’t the kind of thing that fit Harvey’s personality.

Forward Operating Base Fenty, Afghanistan – Company B, 426th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Quick Reaction Force (QRF) train for any potential emergency situation in which their team could be called to assist, protect and defend Coalition Forces on and around Jalalabad Airfield.

U.S. Army Spc. Peter Brousseau, a member of the Forward Operating Base Fenty Quick Reaction Force and the 426th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, attaches an anchor weight in order to prevent a water supply tank from rolling over. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Lisa Maginot, 426th BSB Unit Public Affairs Representative)

Forward Operating Base Fenty, Afghanistan – To be called a noncommissioned officer, or NCO, in the U.S. Army means that you have met the requirements set forth by the Army to be promoted to the rank of sergeant and the senior enlisted Soldiers and officers above you have the confidence in your ability to allow you to lead your fellow Soldiers. But that is just the beginning.

On February 6th, at Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan, Task Force Taskmaster, 426th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, hosted an NCO induction ceremony to welcome 53 newly promoted Soldiers into the corps of NCOs that make up the backbone of the Army.

The official party for the Task Force Taskmaster NCO Induction Ceremony, 426th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, renders a salute to the colors during the playing of the National Anthem at Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan, Feb. 6, 2013. (Sgt. 1st Class John D. Brown/U.S. Army)

The five days consisted of intense medical training for the AAF personnel, who learned how to treat a combat casualty. Specifically, they learned how to control traumatic bleeding, assess and maintain an airway, treat chest wounds and stabilize broken bones.

Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan – Sgt. 1st Class Audra Wynn, A Company, 426th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade 101st Airborne Division truck master, and Master Sgt. Lemuel Wynn, Headquarters Support Company, 96th Aviation Support Battalion operations non-commissioned officer in charge, have been married for 16 years and have been through many deployments together.

Being a dual-military couple, deployments can make having a family difficult.